Scarce Stag Beetle vs Cave Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarce Stag Beetle Cave Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Platycerus caraboides Leptotyphlus mirabilis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lucanidae Staphylinidae
Size 9-13mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Caves
Diet Wood Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Mediterranean Europe, particularly cave systems
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scarce Stag Beetle

A small metallic blue-black stag beetle with modest mandibles. It develops in red-rotten beech wood.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called scarce it is actually fairly common but overlooked due to its small size and dark coloring.

Cave Rove Beetle

A minute, eyeless, depigmented rove beetle adapted to life in deep soil and cave environments. Its body is extremely elongate and its sensory organs are highly developed to compensate for blindness.

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Did You Know?

This beetle has completely lost its eyes and all body pigmentation, a condition known as troglomorphy, evolved over millions of years in total darkness.